CHAPTER XI.

SUCCESS OF THE IROQUOIS TRADERS—­APPOINTED TO THE CHARGE OF THE CHATS—­CANADIAN DISPUTES POSSESSION—­BIVOUAC WITHOUT A FIRE—­RUSE TO BAFFLE MY OPPONENTS—­ROMAN CATHOLIC BIGOTRY.

The Iroquois passed early in spring with eighteen Indian packs in their canoes,—­each pack might be estimated at 60l.,—­our other opponent started for Montreal about the same time as last year, and I was ordered down to Fort Coulonge to take Mr. S.’s place for the summer.  He returned from Montreal about the end of August, and I was much gratified to learn from him that I had been again appointed to the charge of the Chats, so that all the merit or demerit of good or bad management would now be entirely my own.  A few days after, a middle-sized canoe arrived, manned by three Canadians, with whom I embarked for the scene of my first essay as an Indian trader.

On arriving at the post, I was surprised to find an old Canadian and his cara sposa in possession,—­a circumstance of which I had had no previous intimation.  This worthy pair seemed determined to maintain their position in defiance of me; and not wishing to employ violent means to dispossess them if it could possibly be done otherwise, I passed the night in the hall.  Having, however, obtained possession of the outworks, I was determined to carry the citadel; and, summoning the contumacious occupants into my presence next morning, I demanded, in a peremptory tone, the immediate surrender of the keys.

“Show me your authority,” said he.

“If I do not show it, you shall feel it presently!”

Seeing that I ordered my men to put my threat into execution, Jean Baptiste assumed a more humble attitude, and requested me, as a favour, to permit him to remain in the kitchen until he could find a passage to Montreal;—­with this request I willingly complied.

My old opponent had still a post in this district, and I was directed to send a party in opposition to him; which being done, I remained quiet until the winter communication became practicable, when I determined on paying a visit to my friends in the Fort Coulonge district.  The distance being short, and my object having no connexion with the Company’s interests, I set off on my pleasure jaunt alone.  I put up the first night at a sort of tavern just then opened by an American at the upper end of the Chats’ Lake, the only habitation at that time in the quarter, whence I started at early dawn, expecting to reach Fort Coulonge before night.  The lumbermen having commenced sledging their winter supplies, the road formed by these vehicles presented a hard, smooth surface, on which I made good speed, as I had nothing to encumber me, save my blanket and tomahawk.